Expanded metal.



No. 767,798. PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904. N. E. CLARK.

EXPANDED METAL.

APPLICATION PIL ED JUNE 25. 1904.

Patented August 16, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NORRIS ELMORE CLARK, OF PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT.

EXPANDED METAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,798, dated August16, 1904.

Application filed June 25, 1904. Serial No. 214,105. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NoRRis ELMoRn CLARK, a citizen of the United States,residing at Plainville, in the county of Hartford, State of Connecticut,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Expanded Metal, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to expanded metal, which may be used in any desiredconnection.

1 The object of the invention is to produce an expanded metaleconomically and rapidly, the product being strong and durable andadapted to use in a great variety of ways.

In-the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of a portion of a strip ofexpanded metal constructed to embody my invention. Fig. 2 is an edgeview thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view of another form of expanded metal.Fig. 4 is an edge view thereof.

Referring first to the article illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawings, A represents the body ofthe strip, integral with the expandedportion.- The metal is expanded in its own plane by suitable cutters ordies, by which the metal is slitted and offset to form openings likethose indicated at B B, Fig. 1, preferably triangular. The metal is thenfed one step farther under the cutting-dies and then slitted andexpanded in a position so as to break joints or alternate with theprevious openings, whereupon the metal between the previously-formedopenings is forced forward, changing the shape of the opening fromtriangular to rhombic. These rhombio open ings are indicated at CC. Allof the rhombic openings are thus separated by strands, the width ofwhich may be determined entirely by the feed of the metal under thecutters or dies. By punching the openings the expanded metal (asdistinguished from the unperforated sheet not yet fed to the cutters) isstretched, but confined to its original plane,

so that the metal is somewhat shortened in width. In expanding the metalthe strands are displaced in the same plane as the plane of the sheet A.Hence no. extremely-rough edges are formed; but the metal is perfectlyflat, a feature of advantage when the finished article is to be used inmany connections other than that of mere lathing. For example, it mightbe used for registers and ventilators in which it is desirable to havethe surface of the metal present a smooth handsome appearance, and thisis attained most effectively by this method of expanding.

In Figs. 3 and 4 the metal is expanded after the same manner aspreviously described; but extending longitudinally of the rhombicopenings I provide depressed bridging-strands DD, the function of whichis to give added strength and resistance against bending of saidproduct.

In these figures, A represents the margin of provided in the form of arod E inserted between the bridging-strands D and the main body, as bestseen in Fig. 4. In this case, as in the previous case, the upper surfaceof the expanded metal presents a smooth appearance and may be usedadvantageously in other connections than that of lathing.

What I claim is- 1. As an article of manufacture, an expanded-metalsheet formed with its main portions lying substantially in a singleplane and having a plurality of openings formed therein, the cut edgesof said openings being substantially at right angles to the plane ofsaid body portion.

2. A plate formed of expanded sheet metal and havingits principal bodyportion lyingsubstantially in a single plane and having a pluopenings,substantially as described.

3. The method of forming expanded-metal sheets which comprises slittingthe metal and portion of which is parallel to the original T plane ofsaid plate for the purpose specified.

Signed at Plainvillc, Connecticut, this 17 th day of June, 1904:.

NORRIS ELMORE CLARK.

Witnesses:

HENRIETTA L. GooDRIoH, DWIGHT G. CLARK.

